Challinor wants his players to use that result as motivation at Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday and has strengthened his hand with the signing of Lawlor for the rest of the season.

The new recruit, who turns 27 next month and can also play centre-half, has spent the last five years with Guiseley. He has played 24 games for the National League’s bottom club this season but has been out of action since New Year’s Day.

He joins a Coasters side who are four points adrift of the play-off zone with eight games to play.

Challinor admits it was bitterly disappointing to be denied so late on in the game but believes his players will learn from the experience.

He told The Gazette: “When I look back at it, we were in control of the game. We just had lapses in concentration that resulted in them having half-chances.

“Ultimately those lapses in concentration cost us the win. We only have ourselves to blame for that.

“In the second half we were much better, scored the three goals and the game seemed to be drawing to a close without a whole lot going on.

“But the goal they scored gives them momentum and it changes the course of the game, giving us an uncomfortable last five minutes. Then they go and get another one.

“Other than those two shots, they’ve not had another attempt at goal in the second half, so we’ve been totally dominant.

“You can over-analyse things but they’re two freak goals really. They’re great strikes from them.

“But they cost us two points and it is disappointing, but that’s gone now and we can’t affect it.